Computational Thinking Pathways in Preschool: A Multimodal Approach

Abstract

Computational Thinking (CT) is increasingly recognized as a foundational competence in early childhood education, supported by international digital literacy policies promoting equitable access to technological learning from early ages. However, research remains fragmented, as most studies examine a single pedagogical modality in isolation, leaving limited evidence on how young children progress across different types of CT experiences. This study aims to analyze how a sequential multimodal learning pathway—unplugged activities, block-based Android apps, and Blue-Bot tangible robotics—contributes to CT development in preschool children aged 4 to 6 years. A classroom-embedded intervention was implemented over nine weeks following three consecutive modalities. A total of 432 rubric-based observations were collected across six CT dimensions: abstraction, algorithms, decomposition, evaluation, modeling-simulation, and pattern recognition. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using means, standard deviations, and percentage distributions across performance levels, complemented by qualitative teacher notes for contextual interpretation. Findings reveal a clear progression across modalities, with initial-level performances decreasing (44% ? 33% ? 31%) and adequate–advanced levels increasing proportionally. Unplugged activities strengthened evaluation and pattern recognition, digital apps enhanced sequencing and modeling–simulation, and robotics produced the most balanced CT profile, with 50% of responses in adequate–advanced levels. Results highlight complementary contributions rather than competing effects across modalities. The study provides empirical evidence that sequential multimodal instruction supports CT development through a coherent progression from concrete to abstract reasoning. Pedagogical and policy implications include the need for structured CT pathways, teacher training in multimodal strategies, and early digital literacy initiatives aligned with international frameworks.